La Sola Muerte

Chapter Seven

Venturing through the tree line, I flap my arms frantically. The vines and leaves move, but the spider webs wrapping around my face petrify me.

"Ugh, for fuck's sake!" I huff panicked while swiping the massive silk trap off me.

When I stumble out of the jungle and into the clearing, my eyes widen and take in the scenery. The canopy of leaves overhead dims my surroundings, albeit streaks of light peaking through the leaves. I Squint my eyes and turn my head instinctively to one side. Realising I am in the clear, both physically and figuratively, a powerful sigh escapes, rocking my body.

Ahead, two figures kneel in front of what looks like a burrow entrance. They're using something I can't identify as a cover. I recognise Pierre to be one of the figures kneeling. Next to him is Carlos, and they both look annoyed. A small, darkened hole, with jaggered rocks, lines the outer wall, making up the landscape behind them.

Carlos waves me over, bringing an index finger to his lips and Pierre grunts under his breath, "Come here!"

They are tracking the creature into its den. How ideal.

I scoff and roll my eyes, trying not to bring more attention to myself. Struggling over, I plonk myself between them, honing my vision on the entrance. There is enough light from the canopy to highlight the area around the cave's mouth. The uneven rocks look to be smashed open, not carved. Shadows cover the cavern floor. It is difficult to determine how deep it goes or where it leads. Based on the size of the cryptid, it looks to be substantial. Whatever is living there came out of the ground and did not burrow into it.

"Why are we waiting here?" I ask in a whisper.

Pierre releases a frustrated sigh. He brings his hand to his face taking a slow, deep breath. "Do you want to go in after it?" he asks sarcastically.

"Well, no, but sitting here isn't achieving anything either." I make the obvious point.

A roar ascends from the depths of the lair. Air bellows from the opening, and rubble scoots across the floor. We shield our faces from it, but the air carries a horrid stench that hits the back of my throat. I cough, then wretch in response. Pierre narrows his eyes and shoves me away, and I fall back on my ass. He brings his finger to his pursed lips. I get wide-eyed and shrug, looking at him, then screw my face up.

It's not as though I can help it.

The air is still, and the atmosphere around the cave changes. An eery silence descends, and all wildlife seems to disappear. For the first time in a while, I can hear my thoughts. Although being stuck in my head can be dangerous. Carlos is the first to react and looks above into the trees. With one hand perched on a nearby log and the other on his knee, he continues to peer into the darkness of the canopy.

"What are you looking at?" I ask him.

"Can you hear that?"

"No," I respond dryly, "There isn't so much as a chirp from a bird".

"Exactly!" His response is as blunt as mine, and he doesn't break eye contact whilst raising to his feet.

He walks around the log past Pierre, his gaze transfixed on the tree line. No other sounds come from the cave. It's as though a bubble is blanketing us. Pierre stands but looks towards the opening. Despite what we heard and saw, we still need to investigate it. The camp will demand answers and look to us for reassurance.

Well, more from Pierre than me, but either way...

Approaching cautiously, Pierre shuffles to the side of the caves entrance. My heart pounds. Warmth travels to my face. My insides heat. I lift a hand on the log for support. When I apply my weight upon it, they tremble. "Damn it!" I shake my hands at my sides in vain. My nerves better sort themselves out!